Anime Classic Wicked City Now On DVD!
Urban Vision is releasing director Yoshiaki Kawajiri's WICKED CITY on DVD. Based on a novel by Hideyuki Kikuchi, the film chronicles the uneasy alliance between Earth and the Black World. The DVD will feature character biographies, an interview with Kawajiri, the theatrical trailer and English and Japanese language tracks. The release will retail for US$29.95.
More South Park Antics On VHS & DVD
Warner Home Video (WHV) and Comedy Central are set to release three new SOUTH PARK videos and two new DVDs on November 7, 2000. The "Christmas in South Park" video will include the "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics" and "Merry Christmas Charlie Manson" episodes as well as Part I of the much talked about British documentary GOIN' DOWN TO SOUTH PARK. The "Best of South Park" video will include "Chinpoko Mon" and "Rainforest Schmainforest" and the Part II of the documentary.
TOPIX/Mad Dog Bring Home Spots For Novartis
TOPIX/Mad Dog has wrapped on a new spot for Novartis Nutrition Mexico. The 20-second spot promotes the C-1000-C, a supplement that combines Vitamin C and calcium, and benefits the respiratory system, teeth and bones. TOPIX/Mad Dog used a 2D-animation style completed in 3D. TOPIX/Mad Dog producer Diana D'Amelio explains, "The hand-drawn color-washed characters introduce the new vitamin in an entertaining, humorous and informative way by showing kids in various stages of play demonstrating the benefits of the product." Tyrone McFadden directed the animation for TOPIX/Mad Dog.
A. Film Animates Tony The Tiger For Kellogg's
A.Film Copenhagen has finished up a new 30-second commercial with Tony the Tiger for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes. The spot is part of a new European revisioning campaign for the Tony the Tiger character. In the commercial, Tony wears a handkerchief on top of his head and makes hip-hop type street-smart signs with his hands. A.Film combined traditional cel animation with live-action. Craig Frank served as the animation director and Easy Film's Thomas Buck directed the live-action. The spot was produced for ad agency Leo Burnett.
Fox Family Finds New Head
Veteran Fox Kids executive Maureen Smith has been named the new president of Fox Family Channel and Fox Kids Network. Smith had been serving as the interim president after Rich Cronin left the position in May. Previously, Smith served as executive vice president of Fox Family Channel and general manager of Fox Kids Network. "Maureen's background in programming, marketing research and promotions make her the perfect candidate to lead both networks into distinct and top performing entertainment outlets," said chairman and CEO of Fox Family Worldwide, Haim Saban.
WB TV To Send Richie Rich To College
Harvey Entertainment and Hartbreak Films are teaming up to develop a new live-action TV series for the WB based on the cartoon character Richie Rich. The show, however, will place a grown up Richie in college adapting to his new life as "the richest kid in the world" in a more normal environment. The project is a plan to strengthen WB's Friday night line-up, which currently is anchored by Hartbreak Films' SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH. This move adds another toon based live-action adaptation to the WB's fall 2001 line-up. The WB has already ordered 13-episodes of the Warner Bros.
Nelvana Wins Licensing Lawsuit
Children's animation producer Nelvana has won its lawsuit against Paris-based Editions Mango for the use of Nelvana-owned properties after the two companies' licensing agreement was terminated. In 1994, Nelvana and New York creative consultancy Clifford Ross Co. signed a licensing deal with Editions Mango, allowing the French company to produce and sell books based on Nelvana and Ross-owned characters, including Babar, Celeste, Arthur, Cornelius, Flora and Alexandre.
Charlie's Angels Truly Blessed At US BO
By knocking the four-week box office champion MEET THE PARENTS out of the top spot, CHARLIE'S ANGELS was truly blessed at this week's U.S. box office. The 1970s TV-show remake, with primary visual effects by Flash Film Works, racked up an amazing US$40.13 million. In other debuts, DreamWorks' golf fantasy, THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE, came in at #3. The links lullaby, with primary visual effects by PDI, grossed an estimated $11.52 million. Falling from fourth to land in sixth, BEDAZZLED danced in with another $4.66 million.
UK Culture Secretary Strikes Out Against Trashy Cartoons
British Culture Secretary Chris Smith was quoted in the LONDON SUNDAY EXPRESS as saying he will issue orders to U.K. TV regulators to cut back on "trashy cartoons" which have flooded the airwaves and replace them with "high-quality educational shows." Broadcasting Minister Janet Anderson told the newspaper, "The government shares parents' concerns that violent and unsuitable material is being broadcast in ever earlier slots." However, some U.K. officials may be uninformed about where the illicit animation is actually coming from.
Learn What's Up In Learning At Interactive TV & Online Learning Conference
* Tuesday, December 5 Wednesday, December 6, 2000. London, U.K.
Telluride IndieFest Is A Premiere Showcase For Indie Filmmaking
* Thursday, December 7 Sunday, December 10, 2000. Telluride, Colorado, U.S.A.
ISEA2000 Symposium On Electronic Art Comes To The French Capital
* Thursday, December 7 Sunday, December 10, 2000. Paris, France.
Psychic Files Lawsuit Against Pokemon
Uri Geller, world-renowned psychic entertainer and author, has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court against Nintendo for unauthorized use of his name on Pokemon cards and related materials. The lawsuit demands that the Koyto, Japan-based company stop using Geller as a character on its Pokemon cards and pay substantial general and punitive damages.
New Jobs: Animators, Digital Artists, Directors, Visual Artists And More...
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England's Smartdog, a gaming company that is part of the Titus/Virgin/Interplay group, is looking for 3D MODELERS and TEXTURERS to work on their state of the art PSXII title. . . Victoria, British Columbia, Canada's Disney Interactive is looking for an ANIMATION LEAD/INTERACTIVE to overview the entire animation process from pre-production design to delivery of final post-production animations. . . London, UK's Granada Media, one of the biggest TV production companies in the UK, is looking for an ANIMATOR. . .
German Post-Production House Das Werk Makes Move On London
German post-production house Das Werk has announced their intention to acquire a majority stake in UK effects house Glassworks. The parties are aiming to achieve a definitive agreement early next year. Das Werk is a well-known provider of post-production services, from scanning and archiving, to editing and composing. London-based Glassworks is a leading facility in digital effects, combining expertise in 3D computer-generated imaging with high-end compositing and special effects. Glassworks will become an integral part of Das Werk's line of animation services and products.
New Career Coach: Age, Religion, Sex - What Reel-Y Matters
The newest Career Coach, our monthly column by Pamela Thompson, is online in AWN's Student Corner...
New At Visual Magic Magazine: Softimage|XSI Reviewed
Check out the latest "behind the scenes" features and tutorials from Visual Magic Magazine...
Industry Expert Jay Francis Joins AWN's Forum, The Business Of Animation
AWN welcomes Jay Francis as host of our new Discussion Forum, THE BUSINESS OF ANIMATION...
Plympton's Comic Of The Week
Plympton's new series of comics extracted from the comic book, "Sleazy Cartoons of Bill Plympton," is for ADULTS ONLY. A new (REALLY!) outrageous comic by Bill Plympton can be found each Friday at http://www.awn.com/plympton/.
This Week's Animation Trivia Quiz
Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz...
Store Specials: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki
The films of one of Japan's most highly noted directors, Hayao Miyazaki...
Marvel Names Milo President Of New Media
Marvel Enterprises, Inc. has named Steve Milo president of Marvel New Media. In his new role, he will oversee development, organization and implementation of Marvel.com's strategic direction. Previously, Milo spent 5 years in senior management positions at Fandom and AnotherUniverse.com, a leading e-commerce and content site for toys and collectibles, which he founded.
J.J. Sedelmaier Animates "Tons of Ts" For Old Navy
J.J. Sedelmaier Productions animated its fifth 30-second spot for Old Navy. In the commercial "Tons of Ts," the animated Old Navy kids cut loose to the Jackson Five tune "ABC," as they model dozens of new T-shirts. The spot ends with an animated version of Old Navy's spokesdog Magic jumping into a T-shirt hanging on a clothesline.
Mac Guff Ligne Says Oui To Pillsbury Doughboy Ads
Paris-based animators Mac Guff Ligne have created seven new Pillsbury Doughboy spots. According to Mac Guff Ligne executive Niko Trout, the main challenge faced by his company's designers and animators was learning proper respect for the character. "The only thing we had as reference was our own Michelin man," Trout said. "We had to be careful to understand the permutations of what we were dealing with." Working on the spots for Mac Guff Ligne were executive producer/CG and special effects wizard Nicolas Trout, visual effects supervisor Frank Baradat and executive producer/U.S.
F/X Wizard Douglas Trumball Speaks At Columbia College
* Monday, November 27 Friday, December 1, 2000. Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
